via the school press releases – photo by Mike Watters, Rollins Sports

BOX SCORE

Tars Lock Up SSC Tournament Berth with Win Over Lions

Rollins earned a key Sunshine State Conference victory, using a pair of late goals to defeat Saint Leo, 11-10, on a hot day at University Turf Field

SAINT LEO, Fla. (April 16, 2022) – Rollins earned a key Sunshine State Conference victory, using a pair of late goals to defeat Saint Leo, 11-10, on a hot day at University Turf Field.  The Tars lock up a Sunshine State Conference Tournament spot and improve to 11-2 overall, 4-2 against conference opposition.  Saint Leo falls to 5-7 overall, and remains winless in SSC action, at 0-5.

The Tars got, a career high, four goals from Justin Spencer to lead the Rollins offense.  His fellow attackman Jack Johnstone tallied a pair, as did Justin White and Finn Jent, out of the midfield.  Bailey Pringle scored once, and dished out, a team best, three assists.  Rob Champigny caused three turnovers and picked up four groundballs to lead the Rollins defense.  Patrick Thomas was huge in net for Rollins, registering 14 stops, playing the full 60 minutes between the pipes.

Saint Leo got a hat trick from Evan Wray.  Guy Bistrow registered a four point afternoon, tallying two goals and two assists.  Michael Flores starred for the Lions, winning 21-26 faceoffs.  In net, Evan Hock made 13 saves, while allowing 11 goals.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
First Quarter

• Justin Spencer opened the scoring, picking up a groundball in front of the cage and placing a close range shot over the keeper.
• The junior then doubled his tally, collecting a feed from Bailey Pringle and finish behind his back to put Rollins up 2-0.
• Saint Leo would respond with a pair of scores of their own, evening the tally before the first break.

Second Quarter

• Finn Jent got on the board early, beating his defender and firing home his first goal.
• Spencer would give Rollins their two goal lead back with another in tight finish off a Pringle feed.
• Spencer would bury his fourth to make the score 5-2.  Pringle again found his line-mate on the crease, and this time Spencer sent a back handed shot low to high and over the keeper’s stick.
• Rollins defense held the Lions off the board for the entire period, as part of a 21:17 scoreless streak by Saint Leo.  Patrick Thomas made eight stops in the second quarter.

Third Quarter

• Jent grew the Tars lead to 6-2 with his second, but Guy Bistrow answered for the Lions, keeping the score with three.
• Pringle net his lone goal to make the score 7-3, but again the Lions answered, this time with a pair, cutting the Tars lead to 7-5.
• Jack Johnstone would make the score 8-5 with two minutes left in the period, calmly picking up a groundball and shooting it home, while the rest of the field was not sure where the ball was.

Fourth Quarter

• Justin White dodged down the ally and scored to start the fourth quarter, giving the Tars a four goal lead, at 9-5.
• Saint Leo would then come alive, scoring five consecutive goals, and leaving the Tars trailing for the first time on the day, with just 3:40 remaining.
• Rollins would equalize with just over a minute to play. Johnstone found White coming off a pick and gave him a perfect pass. The Maryland native then fired a shot just off the goalkeeper’s hip, and inside the pipe, to make in 10-10.
• The Tars won a scramble for the ball on the next faceoff.  In the ensuing possession, Spencer bounced a shot off the pipe, but Johnstone was there to pick up the rebound and fire it into the top corner of the net for the game winner.

UP NEXT:
The Tars close their regular season on Saturday, April 23, when they host Florida Tech at Cahall Sandspur Field.  Faceoff is set 1 p.m.

Fans can follow the Tars all season long at RollinsSports.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest #TARnation news by following Rollins Sports on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

*****

Lions Come Up Short in Dramatic Senior Day vs #10 Rollins

SAINT LEO, Fla. – Down by four goals in the fourth quarter with 11 minutes remaining between the Saint Leo Lions and the No. 10 Rollins Tars, the Lions piece together a thrilling five-goal run. The offensive outburst claimed the for the Green and Gold for the first time all game at 10-9 with 3:40 left on the clock. The Tars squeaked out a pair of goals in the last 90 seconds to record an 11-10 decision inside University Turf Stadium on Saturday. The tight Sunshine State Conference battle moved the Lions’ record to 5-7, 0-5 SSC while Rollins improved to 11-2, 4-2 SSC.
 
Following the dramatic home season finale, the Lions thanked and honored its senior class of 13 Lions: Ryan Marek, Timothy D’Antuono, Carson Salvo, Mitchell Bye, Petyon Tyson, Gino Riforgiato, Cole Carty, Tyler Stowell, Evan Wray, Jared Grow, Tyler Eames, Michael Brown, and Reece Hrycan.
 
The packed stadium celebrated the senior day seeing seniors Evan Wray, Tyler Eames, Ryan Marek, Gino Riforgiato, and Reece Hrycan make some noise in their last appearance on their home turf.
 
Evan Wray recorded a hat-trick and added an assist for a team-high four points. Hrycan, Riforgiato, and Marek all scored a goal on their big day. Tyler Eames chipped in two points with a goal and an assist.
 
Guy Bistrow helped the Lions’ offensive efforts with four points of his own with a pair of goals and two assists.
 
Michael Flores changed the whole game for the Lions at the face. The sophomore faceoff specialist won 21-of-26 faceoffs (.807) while picking up 15 groundballs. His work set up his teammates, as the team compiled 43 shots against the Tars.
 
In goal, Evan Hock had a huge double-digit day with 13 saves in 60 minutes of work.
 
Saint Leo will continue action on the road at Palm Beach Atlantic on Tuesday, April 19. The Lions and Sailfish are set to faceoff at 5:00 p.m.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo men’s lacrosse, be sure to visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.